Tag: Marvin Harrison Jr

Highlighting the offensive struggles of Cardinals, Kyler Murray vs. Seahawks

Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray seemed to be stuck in neutral in Sunday’s 16-6 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Did the bye leave him rusty?

Quarterback Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals offense seemed to be stuck in neutral in Sunday’s 16-6 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 12. Producing just six points on 56 total plays on offense was rather disappointing, especially after the team averaged 26.2 points per game over its four-game winning streak before the bye week.



Murray finished Week 12 completing 24-of-37 pass attempts for 285 yards. Murray was also sacked five times for a net loss of 36 yards. Punter Blake Gillikin’s left leg is probably ringing from the six punts he was forced to kick this past Sunday thanks to inadequacies in the team’s offense.

While Seahawks head coach Mike MacDonald is renowned as a pass-rushing mastermind, Murray’s incoherence was vividly apparent in Sunday’s loss. The raving Seahawks fans, mixed in with the shell coverage deception of the Seahawks’ defense and Murray’s lax demeanor, left Cardinals fans scratching their heads at the struggles. Additionally, the Cardinals had just 14 rushing attempts, a severe decline from their 34 rush attempts on Nov. 3 and 26 rush attempts on Oct. 27.

Murray’s crucial third-quarter interception throw made the Cardinals’ offensive struggles most indicative. At 6-5, the margin for error has become even slimmer for the Cardinals in the NFC West. Hopefully, offensive coordinator Drew Petzing will reflect on this outing and assess some All-22 film to better prepare for the Seahawks and their rematch on Dec. 8 at State Farm Stadium.

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

 

This key stat stands out in Kyler Murray’s success with 1st-place Cardinals

Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray has elitism that is represented by one key 2024 NFL passing statistic.

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray has undoubtedly had his career edified by head coach Jonathan Gannon this NFL season. Murray’s elitism is represented by one key statistic keeping the offense on schedule.

Murray ranks No. 6 among NFL quarterbacks with a completion percentage of 69.2%. For perspective, sitting ahead of Murray at No. 5 in this category is Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. That is great company.

Murray has just 2,058 total yards passing through Week 10, so it is clear that Gannon isn’t expecting Murray to be a high-volume guy. Instead, Gannon has used Murray’s rhythmic play style to an advantage, sequencing in QB running plays and RPO to give Murray easy reads in the pass game.

At State Farm Stadium this past Sunday, Murray ignited a 17-0 Cardinals’ scoring run when he threw a precision touchdown pass to wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. in the second quarter.

Ultimately, as long as Gannon continues to establish the running game, he can bait defenses into playing man coverage where opponents will be susceptible to both the athleticism of the Cardinals skills players, and impeccable throwing accuracy of Murray.

 

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

 

Cardinals’ Kyler Murray, Marvin Harrison Jr. made the Dolphins marvel

Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray and wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. overwhelmed the Miami Dolphins defense in Week 8.

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. made light of the Miami Dolphins’ pass defense in NFL Week 8. With an average of 18.5 yards per catch, Harrison Jr. finished his day of work with six catches for 111 yards receiving.



In order to neutralize the scrambling ability of quarterback Kyler Murray, the Dolphins knew they would need to bring extra blitzes from the secondary. Not only did the Dolphins fail to sack Murray in Week 8, they consequently left their defensive backs 1-on-1 with the Cardinals’ receivers.

Coverage voids gave way for Harrison Jr. to get loose at the second and third levels of the defense. Offensive coordinator Drew Petzing sequenced in Harrison on crossing and stem routes, shaking the defense out of man on early downs, and nullifying their zone schemes on down and distance.



Ultimately, with Harrison Jr. playing as a complement to Murray’s primary target, tight-end Trey McBride, the Cardinals offense can almost bank on being able to get a few chunk plays every week. Surely, covering Harrison Jr. 1-on-1 might not be a valid solution for opponents.

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

 

WR Michael Wilson will be important in Cardinals vs. Packers

The Green Bay Packers will need to stop Arizona Cardinals WR Wilson in NFL week 6, and that’s not easy thing to do.

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson had five catches for 78 yards in a team win last Sunday. The Green Bay Packers will need to account for Wilson on intermediate routes, and that’s not easy thing to do.

At 6-foot-2 inches, Wilson is a tall target for quarterback Kyler Murray to locate outside the hashes. Wilson brings energy and talent and has been even more vital with wide receiver Zay Jones injured.

Three primary targets have been in rotation for Murray; Marvin Harrison Jr., Wilson, and tight-end Trey McBride. Murray is distributing the ball effortlessly, and Wilson is thriving under offensive coordinator Drew Petzing.

Wilson can expect additional targets in week six because the Packers’ secondary will be focused on Harrison Jr. If Wilson plays well tomorrow, it will definitely increase the chances of a Cardinals’ win.

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Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

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Cardinals RB James Conner left his footprints at Levi’s Stadium

Arizona Cardinals RB James Conner put his foot down versus the NFC West rival San Francisco 49ers.

Levi’s Stadium turned into a stomping ground for Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner this past Sunday.

Conner, who tallied 86 yards on 19 carries versus the San Francisco 49ers, possesses a physicality and tenacity needed in a Cardinals locker room long associated with being soft. Perhaps Conner can rewrite that narrative in 2024.


Head Coach Jonathan Gannon knows that the success of the Cardinals’ ground game will only open up throwing lanes for tight-end Trey McBride and rookie Marvin Harrison Jr., but what if Conner’s success on the ground has even greater implications?

Conner is averaging 4.6 yards per carry on the season and has already recorded two 100-plus yard games. Thus, the Cardinals shouldn’t get too fanciful in their desire to pass the ball with quarterback Kyler Murray, but rather leave it up to Conner to dictate their offensive tempo.

With Conner optimized, the Cardinals can strategize by sustaining offensive drives and nullify opponents ability to run by establishing scoring leads. With this formula, the Cardinals and Conner could potential leave a trail of footprints headed directly to the top of the NFC West.

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

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49ers will need an answer for Cardinals WR Marvin Harrison Jr.

The Arizona Cardinals should feel comfortable challenging the 49ers in 1-on-1 situations with WR Marvin Harrison Jr. 

Arizona Cardinals rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. wasn’t satisfied with his outing in Week 4, nor the added loss to his team’s season record of 1-3.

Fueled by redemption and the NFC West rivalry with the San Francisco 49ers, quarterback Kyler Murray will be looking to target Harrison more often in Week 5.

The Niners defense hasn’t been invincible like in years past. The Minnesota Vikings scorched them for 403 total yards in week 2, and the Los Angeles Rams rushed for 98 yards and two touchdowns versus them in week 3.

Moreover, Murray’s scramble ability will force the Niners linebackers out of zone coverage, which should allow passing lanes for Marvin Harrison Jr. and tight end Trey McBride. Furthermore, unless Niners defensive back Charvarius Ward becomes Superman overnight, the Cardinals should feel comfortable challenging him in one-on-one situations with Harrison.

If the Cardinals can start fast and keep the 49ers on their heels, they should be able to dictate the tempo of this game and regain ground in the NFC West.

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

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Kyler Murray must be decisive to avoid sacks: Cardinals vs. 49ers

Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray has to trust his reads and be more decisive to avoid sacks versus the San Francisco 49ers in NFL week 5.

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray has to trust his reads and be more decisive to avoid sacks versus the San Francisco 49ers in week 5.

With all the disguise coverages being used by NFL defensive coordinators,  Murray’s reluctance is just and well merited. Murray’s impeccable mechanics and intuitiveness cannot be overstated, but offensive coordinator Drew Petzing needs him to trust in his reads and let it rip.

The Cardinals’ offense went 4-for-11 on third downs this past Sunday, tallying just 17 first downs on 58 total plays and allowed four sacks. The 1-3 start hasn’t been predominately bad, but Murray’s excellence will be required if the Cardinals plan on competing for the NFC West this season.

Murray has likely been sitting in the film room with Petzing this week, assessing both ways to avoid the San Francisco 49ers pass rush, and render more completions on three-step drops.

Once Murray settles, the Cardinals can turn in more offensive scoring drives, but he has to stop overthinking and get back to playing his game.

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

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Marvin Harrison Jr. vs Terrion Arnold did not disappoint

The Week 3 matchup between 1st rounders Marvin Harrison Jr. and Terrion Arnold did not disappoint

Two first-round rookies squared off against one another over Week 3, with Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. and Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold going at it in the desert.

While the two didn’t match up exclusively against one another, the reps between the first-rounders did not disappoint–for fans of either team.

Arnold, the No. 24 overall pick from Alabama, looked very solid in staying in phase and providing tight coverage on Harrison. For his part, the No. 4 overall pick and first non-QB selected, also looked the part of a dynamic top wideout.

Matched up head-to-head, Harrison caught two passes on six targets, gaining 31 yards and picking up first downs on both, per Pro Football Focus. Arnold broke one pass up, and another was intercepted by safety Kerby Joseph on a play where Arnold and Joseph had bracketed Harrison expertly.

Harrison did manage a touchdown in the game, but that was against CB Carlton Davis on a play where Arnold wasn’t on the field due to a minor injury.

For a much more in-depth breakdown of the matchup, including why PFF got the stats wrong, check this out from Lions Wire earlier in the week.

Marvin Harrison Jr. does something no rookie WR has since his father did it

Marvin Harrison Jr. does something no rookie WR has since his Hall of Fame father did it in 1996

After a quiet Week 1, Arizona Cardinals rookie wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. was the centerpiece of the team’s offensive eruption in a 41-10 rout of the Los Angeles Rams. Harrison, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, caught four passes for 130 yards and two touchdowns in the win.

More impressively, all of that production came in the first quarter of the game, a quarter that the Cardinals won 14-0 and outgained the Rams 199-13. The early-game outburst put Harrison Jr. into rarefied rookie air.

Harrison Jr. became the first rookie to record at least four catches and score two touchdowns in the first quarter of a game since his father, Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison, did the same back in 1996 for the Indianapolis Colts.

Junior technically gets the upper hand on his old man by doing it in Week 2. Marvin Harrison achieved the feat in Week 15 of his rookie campaign.

Garrett Wilson creates the ultimate wide receiver from Ohio State players

Who would you choose as your ultimate Buckeye receiver?

Ohio State football has certainly made its mark with wide receivers over the past few years.

We have seen multiple of them getting selected early in the NFL draft, and even if they weren’t, there are still success stories. One of those receivers who was selected in the first round was [autotag]Garrett Wilson[/autotag] of  the New York Jets.

The 2022 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year was asked to create his perfect wide receiver from current and past Buckeyes, and it was a very interesting combination.

Wilson chose the hands of [autotag]Jaxon Smith-Njigba[/autotag], the athleticism of [autotag]Emeka Egbuka[/autotag], the route running of [autotag] Marvin Harrison Jr.[/autotag], and the speed of [autotag]Chris Olave[/autotag].

It’s hard to argue with his decisions because as all of his choices were first round picks — with the exception of Egbuka — who could join his former teammates in getting selected on the drafts first day.

Wilson didn’t pick himself for any of the attributes, but he surely could have. He’s a pretty good player in his own right.

Who would you pick as your ultimate Buckeye wide receiver?

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